Глава 10

Hebrews 10:1. The law, having a shadow of future benefits, and not the very image of things, with the same sacrifices constantly offered every year, can never make perfect those who come with them. “The divine law of future blessings, not the very image of things, can never complete those who are approaching each year with the same sacrifices that they offer from now on. The Apostle calls the future life “things,” and the “image of things” is the Gospel life, and the “shadow” of the “image of things” is the Old Testament. For the image more clearly represents the original; the shade of the image makes it less visible. The Apostle likened to it the weakness of the Old Testament. For he says: “By offering many sacrifices, and moreover annually, they cannot complete those who live according to the law.” Hebrews 10:2. Otherwise, they would stop offering them, because those who offer the sacrifice, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins. “Until they ceased to be offered, not a single one would serve those who had a conscience about their sins, but they would be cleansed.” That is why they accept the end as not having the power to make their conscience clear. Hebrews 10:3. But sacrifices remind us of our sins every year. “But in them there is a remembrance of sins every summer.” The apostle showed both the weakness and the benefit of the law, because although he cannot take away sins, he condemns them, inspires fear and forces them to resort to grace. Hebrews 10:4. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. “It is impossible to forgive sins with the blood of youngsters and goats.” For what murderer or parricide was freed from responsibility by the blood of the dumb? That is why blessed David cried out: “If you had desired sacrifices, you would have given them; you will not be pleased with burnt offerings” (Ps. 50:18). And the divine Apostle gives other evidence. Hebrews 10:5. Therefore, Christ, entering the world, says: You did not desire sacrifices and offerings, but you prepared a body for Me. Hebrews 10:6. Burnt offerings and sin offerings are displeasing to You. Hebrews 10:7. Then I said: Behold, I come, as it is written about Me at the beginning of the book, to do Your will, O God. “Then, entering the world, he says: you did not desire sacrifices and offerings, but you made the body for Me”: “you also did not take pleasure in burnt offerings for sin.” “Then he said: Behold, I come: in the book of books it was written about Me, that I might do Your will, O God” (Ps. 39:7-9). Then the Apostle interprets this testimony. Hebrews 10:8. Having said before that “neither sacrifices, nor offerings, nor burnt offerings, nor sacrifices for sin, which are offered according to the law, You did not desire or deign. Hebrews 10:9. Then he added: “Behold, I come to do Your will, O God.” Cancels the first to establish the second. “Having said above: because you did not desire sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings, and likewise for sins, below you were pleased: those which are offered according to the law.” “Then he said: Behold, I come to do Your will, O God.” Having shown, says the Apostle, that it is not pleasing to God to sacrifice the dumb, he then pointed to Himself and to the prophecies about His coming, for he expressed this with the words: “In the head of the book it was written about Me.” And he says the same thing differently. “He will take away the first and put in the second.” “First” the Apostle called the sacrifice of the dumb, and “second” the verbal sacrifice offered by Christ Himself. Hebrews 10:10. It is by this will that we are sanctified by the one-time offering of the body of Jesus Christ. “This is the will of sanctification by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ alone.” The Apostle clearly showed that the will of God is the salvation of people. This was also spoken by the Lord: “Behold... this is the will... of My Father” (John 6:39), “that whoever believes in Me shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Hebrews 10:11. And every priest stands daily in service, and repeatedly makes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. “And every priest stands every day serving, and offering sacrifices in multitudes, which can never take away sins.” For the priests were commanded to offer the same continuous sacrifices, but they never performed the remission of sins. Hebrews 10:12. He, having made one sacrifice for sins, sat down at the right hand of God forever. Hebrews 10:13. Waiting then until His enemies are made His footstool. Hebrews 10:14. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. “He offered the only sacrifice for sins, He always sits at the right hand of God,” “waiting for the rest until His footstool is laid down!” “By one offering he made to eat for ever those who are sanctified.” There are many priests and many victims, but there is no benefit. And here One and the Same One, both priest and sacrifice, has accomplished the remission of sins and has no need for another service, but is coexistent with the Father who begot Him, awaiting the end of this life. For then, as God and Master, all those who are hostile will worship Him. And His enemies: the first devil, and a horde of demons; then from the Jews and pagans those who did not receive the ray of faith; after them came a crowd of heretics who dared to blaspheme against Him. Then the Apostle, intending to put an end to this comparison, again recalls the prophecy of Jeremiah and does not say the name of the Prophet, but makes it clear that the Spirit spoke through Him and says: Hebrews 10:15. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this; for it is said. Hebrews 10:16. This is the covenant that I will bequeath to them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their hearts, and write them on their minds. Hebrews 10:17. And their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. “The Holy Spirit also bears witness to us, according to what was spoken before”: “This covenant which I will make unto them from these days, saith the Lord, giving My laws upon their hearts, and in their minds I will write them”: “And I will not remember their sins and their iniquities to anyone” (cf. Jer. 31:33-34). Then he wonderfully adds: Hebrews 10:18. And where there is forgiveness of sins, there is no need for an offering for them. “And where there is remission of these, to whom there is an offering for sins.” For it is superfluous when remission is granted. God promised forgiveness, for he says: “I am not able to remember their sins and iniquities.” And this was accomplished by the new covenant, because in all-holy baptism the remission of sins is acceptable. But in the future life, when immortality is granted to us, we will live without any sin, since sin cannot disturb those who have become immortal. Oh, if only we could improve this life! Let us achieve this by diligently loving the works of virtue in this life and taking upon ourselves deeds for its sake. The Lord Himself, the Giver of future blessings, will also assist us. To Him and with Him the Father with the All-Holy Spirit befits glory and splendor now and always and unto the ages of ages! Amen. Hebrews 10:19. So, brethren, having boldness to enter the sanctuary through the Blood of Jesus Christ, in a new and living way. Hebrews 10:20. Which He again revealed to us through the veil, that is, His flesh. Hebrews 10:21. And having a great Priest over the house of God. Hebrews 10:22. Let us approach with a sincere heart, with full faith, having cleansed our hearts from an evil conscience by sprinkling, and having washed our bodies with clean water. Hebrews 10:23. Let us hold fast the confession of hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. “We have now the boldness, brethren, to enter into the holy blood of Jesus, by a new and living way,” “whom he renewed for us with the veil, that is, with his flesh,” “and Jerea is great above the house of God”: “let us draw near with a true heart in the declaration of faith.” Having already made a comparison, showing that this rest is much better than that under the law, and also having compared the priesthood and the covenant with one another and made it possible to see the superiority of the priesthood and the new covenant, the Apostle finally offers instruction, urging us to adhere to what is higher. The Apostle used the word “holy” to call heaven, for this is what he said before: “Christ did not go into the holy place made with hands, ... but into heaven itself” (Heb. 9:24); and “the path into the holy place” he called the valiant life and the resurrection from the dead; the “renewal” of the path is the first procession “into the holy place,” because the Lord, having risen from the dead, was the first to ascend to heaven. Therefore, the Apostle called the “way” both “new” and “living”: “new”, as it was revealed for the first time, and “living” because death has ceased, for those who have received the resurrection cannot fall again into death. And the Apostle called the “veil” the Sovereign flesh, for through it we are worthy to enter the Holy of Holies. Just as a subordinate bishop entered the Holy of Holies through the veil, otherwise it was impossible for him to enter, so those who believe in the Lord through the communion of the All-Holy Body are worthy of residence in heaven. The Apostle called the faithful “the House of God.” added: “in the announcement of faith.” Since both the sanctuary of the tabernacle, and the Sacrifice, and the High Priest are all invisible, and are contemplated only by faith, then the meaning of what was said is this: since it is shown, says the Apostle, that under grace everything is much higher than what was under the law: and heaven is open to us, and the path is beautiful, and the Lord Christ Himself walked through it first, then let us approach with sincere disposition, believing, that this is really so, and giving no place to any fluctuation of thoughts in the soul. This is what the Apostle called “notice.” “Sprinkle your hearts from the evil conscience and wash your bodies with clean water”: “let us hold the confession of hope” unswervingly. And this again the Apostle said comparatively. For according to the law they used sprinklings and washed the body often; Those who live according to the new covenant through all-holy baptism cleanse their souls and make their conscience free from previous defilements. Therefore, the Apostle called divine baptism “sprinkling” and “pure water,” and faith in future blessings “confession of hope.” “He who promised is faithful.” The one who makes the promise is true. By the quality of his face the Apostle proved the firmness of the promise. Hebrews 10:24. Let us be attentive to each other, encouraging each other to love and good deeds. “And let us understand each other in encouraging love and good deeds.” The Apostle says: “Let us look at each other, and let each one be jealous of his neighbor’s success.” For iron is sharpened by iron, and a stone, if rubbed with a stone, generates fire. Hebrews 10:25. Let us not forsake meeting ourselves together, as is the custom of some; but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see that day approaching. “Not forsaking the gathering together of oneself, as is a certain custom.” For the work of love is not division, but perfect unity, just as the Apostle called harmony “assembly.” It makes it clear to some that they dared to dissolve this agreement. “But strive for each other, and even more so, as you see the day approaching.” For every day we become closer to the coming of the Master. So in the Epistle to the Romans the Apostle said: “Salvation is nearer to us now than when we believed” (Rom. 13:11). Then he frightens them with a reminder of judgment. Hebrews 10:26. For if we, having received the knowledge of the truth, sin willfully, there remains no more sacrifice for sins. Hebrews 10:27. But there is a certain terrible expectation of judgment and the fury of fire, ready to devour opponents. “It is the will of those who sin after we have accepted the understanding of truth, for whom a sacrifice is not found for sins,” “but fear is a certain expectation of judgment and jealousy of fire, to explain those who want to resist.” But this Apostle does not deny repentance, but says that there is no other sacrifice, because the Lord Christ was once sacrificed for us. And the Apostle used the word “will”, teaching that what was done against the will enjoys some leniency. And he called “resisting” not only enemies of the truth, but also those who dare to go against the Divine laws. And the inappropriateness of this again proves by comparison with those who were under the law. Hebrews 10:28. If one who rejects the Law of Moses, in the presence of two or three witnesses, without mercy, is punished with death. Hebrews 10:29. How severe a punishment, do you think, will the one who tramples on the Son of God and does not consider sacred the Blood of the Covenant by which he was sanctified, and insults the Spirit of grace, be subject to punishment? “Whoever rejects the law of Moses dies without mercy in the presence of two or three witnesses.” “How much do you think that the worst one will be worthy of torment, having trampled upon the Son of God, and having taken the blood of the covenant defilement, by it he was sanctified, and rebuked the Spirit of grace?” If someone who violates the Law of Moses, being caught, is put to death, then look how many deaths are deserved by those who do not honor the God of Moses Himself, who despise the Honest Blood as if it were ordinary, and who scoff at the very grace of the Spirit. The Apostle again, in the form of an exhortation, showed the difference, namely: one is a Son, the other is a slave; Those sacrifices are wordless sacrifices, but this one is verbal and all-holy. And he contrasted the law not with the law, but with the “blood” and the “Spirit,” because through them salvation is delivered to us. The Apostle confirms the threat with the testimony of Scripture. Hebrews 10:30. We know the One who said: Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord. And one more thing: The Lord will judge His people. “We know for Rexhago: Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” And again: “The Lord judges His people” (Deut. 32:35–36). Having backed up his word with evidence, he definitely utters a threat. Hebrews 10:31. It's scary to fall into the hands of the living God! “It is terrible to fall into the hands of the living God.” since this, which made them understand their laziness and negligence about the Divine, was enough to sadden them, the Apostle dissolves the severity of what was said with a reminder of what they had already excelled in, for nothing arouses zeal so much as the memory of one’s own successes. Hebrews 10:32. Remember your former days, when you, having been enlightened, endured the great feat of suffering. Hebrews 10:33. Either they themselves, amid reproaches and sorrows, served as a spectacle for others, then they took part in others who were in the same state. Hebrews 10:34. For you also had compassion for my bonds and accepted the plunder of your property with joy, knowing that you have in heaven a better and lasting property. “Remember your first days, in which you were enlightened, you accomplished many feats in the face of suffering,” “Of course, the disgrace that was reproached and sorrowful, and the community that was once living like this”: “For I have suffered with my bonds and the plunder of your estates with joy, knowing that I have for myself an estate that is in heaven and better.” . I want you to remember those glorious exploits. For, as soon as you received the light of the knowledge of God, you won victory in many glorious struggles, sometimes being subjected to slander and ridicule and being deprived of property with great complacency, sometimes remaining in communion with those who endured this and providing them with all kinds of services. Yet they did this with diligence, because they had hope of the good things promised in heaven. Then the Apostle continues his exhortation. Hebrews 10:35. So do not abandon your hope, for which there is a great reward. “Do not put off your boldness.” For as a result of your victory you have acquired great boldness. The Apostle also points to rewards for exploits. “Even if the reward is great.” It also teaches how you can receive these rewards. Hebrews 10:36. You need patience so that, having fulfilled the will of God, you will receive what is promised. “I will require patience, so that having done the will of God, you will receive” each “promise.” For the reward is equal to the work, and reward is given according to the work. And encouraging them as too careless, because the attacks of the opponents were cruel, the Apostle points to the approaching Hero of Labor, Who will in a short time give crowns. Hebrews 10:37. For a little while, a very little, and the Coming One will come and will not tarry. “Even more little, much more, the One who is coming will come and will not cut down.” The Lord is near, says the Apostle, he will come very soon and reward you for your labors with heavenly blessings. And since some probably doubted this, the Apostle incidentally added: Hebrews 10:38. The righteous will live by faith; but if anyone hesitates, My soul has no pleasure in him. “But the righteous will live by faith” (Hab. 2:4). Through the mouth of the prophets, he says, God said this. Why, even then, while the law was still in force, the healing of faith served for salvation. “And if he commits an offense, My soul does not take pleasure in him.” Doubt is called “accusation” here. Hebrews 10:39. We are not one of those wavering to destruction, but we stand in faith for the salvation of our souls. “We have no accusation of destruction, but faith in supplying the soul.” For through faith we become members of God. Then the Apostle shows both before the law and under the law through faith those who became God-loving and glorious. And this suddenly achieves a double goal: and shows the power of faith, because what the law did not succeed in, faith accomplished; and gives consolation to those who are falling in spirit due to the uprising of opponents, showing that all those who have acquired ever-memorable fame walked on such waves. And, firstly, he teaches us the very definition of faith. You might be interested in: